# Topical Volumizing Cream Improves Facial Volume and Skin Health in Adults With Rapid Weight Loss From Pharmacologic (GLP‐1/GIP Agonists), Surgical, or Behavioral Interventions

## TL;DR

A facial cream improved skin health and reduced signs of aging in adults who lost weight rapidly, often due to medications like GLP-1/GIP agonists.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that a multi-ingredient topical cream can counteract facial aging caused by rapid weight loss from pharmacologic, surgical, or behavioral interventions.

## Key findings

- Wrinkle severity decreased significantly after 4 and 12 weeks of cream use.
- Skin thickness and hydration improved, while trans-epidermal water loss decreased.
- Firmness and elasticity of the skin increased significantly by week 12.

## Abstract

GLP‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1) and dual GLP‐1/gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) agonists emerged in recent years to promote weight loss. By reducing subcutaneous fat, collagen, and overall structural support of the skin, rapid weight loss can lead to visual face aging.

This study investigates the synergistic effect of a multi‐ingredient topical that acts on different skin levels to treat facial aging in individuals experiencing rapid weight loss from GLP‐1 and GIP/GLP‐1 agonist use.

In this 12‐week study, 33 participants from the Sacramento region were given the same topical volumizing cream (Vol.U.Lift, Image Skincare). Participants had 6 visits: screening, baseline, weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Tolerability assessments, facial photography, and measurements of hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles were acquired.

29 subjects completed all study related procedures. Wrinkle severity appearance decreased at week 4 (14.5%, p < 0.001) and 12 (20.7%, p < 0.001). The ultrasound based skin and subcutaneous thickness increased at week 4 (17.3%, p = 0.04) and 12 (20.1%, p = 0.015); TEWL decreased at week 4 (10.39%, p ≤ 0.02) and 12 (12.7%, p ≤ 0.02); Skin hydration increased at week 2 (21.29%, p ≤ 0.01), 4 (19.50%, p ≤ 0.02), and week 12 (21.8%, p ≤ 0.02); Firmness (22.5%, p ≤ 0.002), viscoelasticity (13.1%, p ≤ 0.02) and net elasticity (23.2%, p ≤ 0.0002) increased at week 12.

The use of a topical volumizing cream improved the appearance of facial volume, wrinkles, and biophysical characteristics in participants who had undergone rapid weight loss primarily due to GLP‐1/GIP agonist use.